(SOUTH BEND) - A northern Indiana probate judge is accused of violating the code of judicial conduct by making an improper comment to someone applying to be a guardian.

The charge filed Tuesday alleges that St. Joseph County Probate Judge Peter Nemeth acted inappropriately during a 2011 hearing. He said then it would be improper for a woman to ask taxpayers to pay for a sign language interpreter when she "hadn't paid taxes for several years." The hearing concerned a deaf teenager.

The commission alleges Nemeth's comments didn't promote public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of judges. He has 20 days to respond to the charge.

A message seeking comment from Nemeth was left Tuesday at his office by The Associated Press.